The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

by James T. Tanner

Long thought extinct, the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker may yet in 1999, the birding community was galvanized at the news of a sighting by a hunter in a Louisiana forest. A series of expeditions continue to search for the rare bird, and all seekers rely on this elegant treatise. Written by James Tanner as his doctoral thesis, it was published by the National Audubon Society in 1942, when a few of the species could still be found in the cypress and bottomland forests of the southern United States.
The book opens with a general description of the Ivory-bill, explaining how to distinguish it from its more commonly encountered cousin, the Pileated Woodpecker. It then plots the species’ original distribution pattern; tells the history of its disappearance and the story of its distribution as of 1940; discusses the population density and range of individual birds; food and feeding habits; daily routine in the non-nesting season; voice; reactions to human presence; roosting; reproductive and nesting habits; care of the young; and causes of nesting failure. In conclusion, the author outlines both a general and a specific program for conserving the species. An appendix covers nomenclature, related species, plumages, anatomy, and measurements, and lists the scientific names of birds, mammals, and reptiles mentioned in the text. A model of patient, exacting field research, this book offers fact-filled and engrossing reading for birders and other nature lovers.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Natural History

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2003

Reviews

[Kara]

Before reading this book, I strongly recommend you first read "Ghost Birds: Jim Tanner and the Quest for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, 1935-1941" which tells the story behind this book. "The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker" is Jim's dissertation after studying the birds for several years in an effort to learn what was needed to save the species.

Given that this was his dissertation and report on his findings to Cornell and especially the Audubon Society, the latter of who funded his fellowship in gathering this information. This is a very technical book. I found it enjoyable, having read the book by Stephen Lynn Bales and Jim's wife, Nancy Tanner.

[Udeepa Imesh]

This is a really good book

[Karla Kitalong]

I have been studying extinction for a while, and just recently, I read an article that said the IBW is not extinct after all. So I pulled out this book and finally read it. It's a technical report written by a researcher in the 1930s, when IBWs were still around but threatened by humans' activities. I found it interesting but I don't know anyone else in my circle who would want to read it.

[Liona]

Rather fascinating -- but only if you're developing an obsession with this bird.

[Brenda]

Wonderful treatise.